history quizzes and tests
1. The Reconquista was a struggle between*
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Christians and Moors
2. Why did Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand V at first refuse to fund Columbus's first voyage of discovery?*
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They were focused on regaining complete control of Spain.
3. Which fictional book title would best represent the aims of a success Spanish conquistador?*
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God, Gold, and Glory
4. "God give me victory over these infidels, so that I may bring them to His (God's) service and that of the Crown"- Based on the quote, what was a goal of the conquistadors in the Americas?*
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To convert the Natives to the Catholic faith
5. Which phrase best symbolizes the Spanish conquests of the Aztecs and Incas?*
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Destroyed by greed and disease
6. Where did Columbus actually land on his first voyage of discovery?*
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an island in the Caribbean Sea
7. What did the Spanish build on the ruins of Tenochtitlan?*
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Mexico City
8. The conclusion of the Reconquista gave Spain the opportunity to*
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look beyond its borders in pursuit of economic wealth.
9. Why was Moctezuma so reluctant to attack Cortes and his men when they first arrived at Tenochtitlan?*
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He feared that Cortes was an Aztec god and did not want to offend him.
10. Which explorer was known to defeat the Inca empire?*
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Francisco Pizarro
11. What can you conclude from the results of Alvarez de Pineda's voyage?*
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Spain's quest for treasure greatly improved its geographical knowledge.
12. Which explorer was known for having a disastrous voyage?*
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Narvaez
13. What statement about Cabeza de Vaca is most accurate?*
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He turned his misfortune into a life of adventure.
14. Which fictional movie title best states a common theme in Spain's search for gold in the Americas?*
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Tricked by False Promises
15. What was significant about Pineda's voyage?*
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He was known for contributing towards a well-drawn map.
16. What was an animal Cabeza de Vaca discovered?*
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bison
17. Which explorer was known to have killed El Turco because he was enraged that he did not find treasure?*
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Coronado
18. Which statement describes a result of the encounters between the Spanish and Caddo Indians?*
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The Caddo resisted multiple Spanish attempts to control their territory.
19. Which water route represents the rumored shortcut the French hoped would take them to Asia?*
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the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean
20. Which factor caused Spain to once again become interested in the Texas frontier?*
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its increasing rivalry with France
BONUS: What did the French treasure that wasn't gold?*
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fur
1. Which parts of the Law of April 6, 1830 most likely angered Anglo settlers in Texas? *
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Settlers were no longer allowed to bring slaves into Texas.
2. Why did Texans feel their rights had been violated? *
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They felt that the Mexican government had broken the terms of its own constitution.
3. What was the significance of the Turtle Bayou Resolutions? *
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They were the first written and organized protests against Mexico.
4. After the Fredonian Rebellion, who was sent to Mexico and told to write a report? *
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Mier y Teran
5. Mexico also placed ____________________ on goods from the United States. This means a tax on an imported good. *
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tariffs
6. Why did the settlers of Texas prefer a federalist form of government to a centralist government?*
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They admired the U.S. form of government.
7. Why were the Conventions of 1832 and 1833 significant? *
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These conventions set the groundwork for the governance of Texas as a state within a federal government.
8. Who went to Mexico City to present the work of the Texas convention to the Mexican government and was later jailed? *
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Stephen F. Austin
9. To increase his own power, _____________________ switched sides and created a Centralist Mexico. *
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Santa Anna
10. A person who rules with total authority, often in a cruel or brutal manner is called a _____________________. *
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dictator
BONUS: 5 Points: The first battle of the Texas Revolution was called what? *
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Battle of gonzales
1. There was trouble organizing an army in the beginning of the Texas Revolution. Many leaders disagreed about how to handle the situation between Texas and Mexico. To solve their disagreement, what did the leaders do? *
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They agreed to split up their troops.
2. Who did Sam Houston ask to take a few men and go to the Alamo? *
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Jim Bowie
3. What was the biggest reason for defending the Alamo? *
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It was a barrier between the Mexican army and Anglo towns to the north.
4. Whose fame developed from their skill of the rifle?*
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David Crockett
5. Who was the main leader of the Alamo who hoped for reinforcements to come help? *
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William Travis
6. At the Battle of the Alamo, what did the Mexican army do to scare the Texans? *
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played music
7. How long did the Battle of the Alamo last? *
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12 days
8. When did the Battle of the Alamo take place? *
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March 6, 1836
9. Approximately how many men did the Mexican army consist of? *
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1800
10. Which leader and his men were brutally murdered at Goliad? *
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James Fannin
BONUS: 5 Points: The Battle of the Alamo was fought in which city? *
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San Antonio
1. Who was the first official president of the Republic of Texas voted in 1836? (Not interim)
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Sam Houston
2. A group of official advisors who oversee departments in the executive branch form a ____________________.
*
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Cabinet
3. Why did people still fear Santa Anna?*
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Because he had ordered his soldiers to burn any buildings, towns, and farms in their path.
4. Describe Sam Houston’s upbringing (select all of the correct answers)*
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He was born in Virginia on March 2, 1793.
He was of Scots-Irish descent and raised in the Presbyterian faith.
His father, a plantation owner, died when Houston was only 13 years old.
He had little schooling in Virginia. As a teenager, he loved to read.
When he was 16, Houston left home to live with a band of Cherokee Indians.
His overconfidence and harsh treatment of enemies contributed to his eventual defeat and capture.
5. Describe Santa Anna's upbringing (select all of the correct answers)*
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At age 16, he joined the cadets in a Veracruz troop of the Spanish Royal Army.
After his schooling, he worked for a merchant in Veracruz.
He came from a working-class family.
He was born in February 21, 1794
His overconfidence and harsh treatment of enemies contributed to his eventual defeat and capture.
6. When Sam Houston was 20, he fought in the War of 1812. Who noticed Houston’s courage and bravery? *
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Andrew Jackson
7. Why was March and April 1836 considered a low-point for Houston and his army?
*
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Houston knew that he must retreat to avoid fighting Santa Anna’s large force, despite great criticism.
8. On March 29, Houston’s army went to San Felipe to find a safe spot for training.
What did he receive there?
*
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Two cannons
9. What was another major mistake Santa Anna made? *
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Santa Anna decided to take one thousand of his best troops to Harrisburg to capture the Texas government.
10. Who was named Secretary of State, but died at age 43 with pneumonia?
*
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Stephen F. Austin
BONUS: The way a government deals with issues outside the country is called _______________________________. (spelling counts!)*
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foreign policy
1. Which document heavily influenced the first Texas state constitution?*
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The U.S. Constitution, The Spanish Colonial Charter, The Mexican Constitution of 1824
2. What was one major feature included in the first Texas state constitution?
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b) A bicameral legislature
3. Which branch of government enforces the laws in Texas?
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b) Executive
4. Who was the first governor of Texas during its early statehood?
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c) James Pinckney Henderson
5. What political issue did Texas leaders face after the U.S.-Mexican War?
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d) The status of slavery in Texas
6. Why did many Tejanos face challenges after the U.S.-Mexican War?
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b) They faced discrimination and loss of land
7. What was a major reason immigrants came to Texas during the mid-1800s?
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b) For economic opportunities and land grants
8. How did enslaved African Americans in Texas contribute to the economy?
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b) Through labor on cotton and sugar plantations
9. What was the role of empresarios in Texas?
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b) They managed land grants and encouraged settlement
10. What impact did empresarios have on Texas?
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a) They created a diverse population through immigration
1. Name one major cause of the Civil War.*
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b) States’ rights
2. What are states’ rights?*
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a) The idea that states can limit the power of the federal government
3. How do you think Eli Whitney's invention impact slavery?*
b) It made cotton farming more efficient, increasing the demand for enslaved labor
4. What is sectionalism?*
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a) The loyalty to one’s region rather than the nation as a whole
5. Why did Northerners favor tariffs?*
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c) Tariffs protected Northern manufacturing by making imported goods more expensive
6. Why did many Germans vote against secession in Texas?*
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b) They feared Native American attacks if the U.S. Army withdrew
7. Who was Francis Lubbock?*
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b) The governor of Texas in 1861 who supported the Confederate cause
8. What was the primary economic activity in the South that relied on enslaved labor?*
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c) Cotton farming
9. What is a tariff, and why did Southerners oppose it?*
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a) A tax on imported goods; it made imported goods more expensive for Southern consumers
10. Why was Sam Houston removed from office as governor of Texas?*
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a) He refused to take an oath of loyalty to the Confederacy
Bonus: What did the concept of nullification argue? +3*
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a) States could reject federal laws they deemed unconstitutional
1. Why was Mexico worried about Texas?
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c) They thought the United States wanted Texas for itself.
5. Santa Anna demanded that the Alamo surrender. Travis replied with a cannon shot. In response, Santa Anna flew a blood-red flag, which meant what? *
b) He would show no mercy to the rebels if they chose to fight.
6. What is one characteristic shared by both the United States Constitution and Texas Constitution?
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d) Each included a bill of rights.
12. Who was the main leader of the Alamo who hoped for reinforcements to come help?
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c. William Travis
13. At the Battle of the Alamo, what did the Mexican army do to scare the Texans?*
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d. played music
16. Wives and children of defenders were in the fort. Why did Santa Anna allow women, children, and slaves to go free?*
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d. All of the above.
17. Which leader and his men were brutally murdered at Goliad?
*
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d. James Fannin
18. Mexico won freedom from ____________________ in 1821.
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d. Spain
Bonus: Which tactical mistake by Santa Anna gave the Texans a major geographic advantage just before Sam Houston had his men begin their attack?
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He moved his men so that a ridge blocked their line of sight.